Pallet

ABSTRACT

A pallet is provided for supporting loads thereon. The pallet includes an upper member formed of thermoplastic material for receiving loads thereon, a plurality of rows of supporting elements for supporting said upper member in an elevated position to permit the entry of lifting forks thereunder, and a reinforcing member positioned between the supporting elements and the upper sheet to bridge a load positioned on the upper sheet between the respective supporting elements. The reinforcing member has spaced apart upper and lower portions which are interconnected together to permit the reinforcing member to function as a flexural member.

United States Patent Allgeyer et al. 1 1 Oct. 24, 1972 [$4] PALLET3,467,032 9/1969 Rowlands et al. ...........l08/5l 3 481 285 12/1969Yellin ..108/58 [72] lnventors: Guy ll. Allgeyer, Toledo; James B.

Foo, sylvania both of Ohio 3,51 1,191 5/ 1970 Berry, Jr. et al. 108/58[73] Assignee: Owens-Illinois, lnc. Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay

, Assistant Examiner-Glenn O. Finch [221 Filed May 1971 Attorney-PhilipM. Rice and E. J. Holler [21] App]. No.: 140,575

[57] ABSTRACT Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart ofSer. No. 867,589, Oct.

20, 1969, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl .108/58, l08/Sl [51] Int. Cl. B651! 19/38 [58] Field ofSearch ..108/5 1-58 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,187,689 6/ l 956 Hess 108/58 3,330,228 7/1967 Donnelly 108/513,405,666 10/1968 Miller JOB/$8 A pallet is provided for supportingloads thereon. The pallet includes an upper member formed ofthermoplastic material for receiving loads thereon, a plurality of rowsof supporting elements for supporting said upper member in an elevatedposition to permit the entry of lifting forks thereunder, and areinforcing member positioned between the supporting elements and theupper sheet to bridge a load positioned on the upper sheet between therespective supporting elements. The reinforcing member has spaced apartupper and lower portions which are interconnected together to pemlit thereinforcing member to function as a flexural member.

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INVENTORS Quv H. Hu e/ER BYKJAP'IQB a 6'. A news PATENTEI] not 24 m2SHEET 10 0F 10 INVENTOR. Gus H .ALEERER PALLET This application is acontinuation of Ser. No. 867,584 filed Oct. 20, 1969, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE It has long been the desire of industry tohave at its disposal a pallet which would meet as many of the desiredcharacteristics as possible. These characteristics include light weight,low cost, freedom from maintenance, and the ability to withstand therequired loads.

Wooden pallets, which have been most prevalent heretofore, meet thecriteria of low initial cost and ability to withstand the requiredloads; but do not meet the criteria of freedom from maintenance andlight weight.

Other pallets which have been proposed, while being satisfactory forsome specific purpose, have not met all of the criteria to an extentwhich caused them to gain widespread acceptance.

The present invention provides a pallet which is reasonably economicalto form, which requires no maintenance, which is strong enough to meetnormal loading requirements and which is sufficiently light that it canbe readily handled by one person.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and novelpallet.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a palletwhich is economical to form, which has light weight and which is freefrom maintenance once put into use.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a palletwhich incorporates a plurality of elements formed from various materialsto provide a pallet which is structurally strong and yet which is lightenough in weight to be handled by one person.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readilyapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theannexed sheets of drawings on which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pallet of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view partly in sectionshowing one comer of the pallet illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the fragmentary comer shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a modified pallet.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the pallet shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken through line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken through line 7-7 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken through line 8--8 of FIG. 9 of afurther modified pallet.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the pallet shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a pallet similar to that shown in FIG. 9 buthaving a further modification.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a modifiedreinforcing member.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of anotherembodiment.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a further embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there is provided a pallet generallydesignated by the numeral 10. The pallet 10 includes upper and lowermembers 11 and 12 formed of thermoplastic material, a plurality ofsupporting elements 13 formed integrally with an inter mediate member 14of thermoplastic material and a reinforcing member 15 between the uppermember 11 and the supporting elements 13. As can be seen from thedrawings, the supporting elements 13 are arranged in rows with spacestherebetween to permit the entry of lifting forks therebetwe en.

The upper member includes a panel portion 20 for receiving loads thereonand integrally formed downwardly extending peripheral edge portions 21.A flange 22 extends outwardly from the peripheral edge portion 21.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the lowermember 12 is substantially identical to the upper member 11 and includesa panel portion 20A and an integrally formed upwardly extendingperipheral edge portion 21A from which a flange 22A extends. Therespective flanges 22 and 22A are sealed together as by heat sealing orby a suitable adhesive such as commercially available hot melts. Theperipheral edge portions 21 and 21A have openings 23 formed therein topermit the entry of lifiing forks. As such, the openings 23 are alignedbetween the rows of supporting elements 13.

The intermediate member 14 has a major planar portion 24 from which thesupporting elements 13 depend. The supporting elements 13 function ascolumns in transmitting a load placed on the panel portion 20 of theupper member 1 l to the ground or other support on which the lowermember 12 is resting. Such supporting elements 13 may be molded in theintermediate member 14 by any conventional molding process such as byvacuum forming or injection molding. The major planar portion 24terminates at its periphery in an upwardly extending flange 25 having aU-shaped curled edge 26. The intermediate member is positioned withinthe enclosure formed by the upper and lower members 14 with thesupporting elements 13 resting upon the panel portion 20A of the lowermember. Preferably, the curled edge 26 thereof fits snugly within theperipheral edge portion 21 of the upper member 11. If desired, it may beheat sealed to such peripheral edge portion 21 as indicated.

Positioned between the upper surface of the major planar portion 24 andthe lower surface of the panel portion 20 is the reinforcing member 15.The reinforcing member 15 comprises a pair of thin facing sheets 31, onthe order of (0010-0050) inches thick separated by a filler element 32.Although the thickness of the filler element 32 may be varied dependingupon the loading characteristics desired for the pallet, a fillerelement one inch thick has proven to be very satisfactory. The fillerelement 32 functions primarily to hold the two facing sheets in spacedrelationship and to hold them against slippage. Accordingly, the facingsheets 31 are adhesively bonded to the tiller 32. The filler 32 may beformed of foamed plastic, wood, stacked corrugated board or othermaterial to which the facing sheets may be adhered. Thus, the fillermember need not have any particular tensile strength characteristics butmust be able to withstand the compressive loads placed on the panelportion 20 and must have sufficient shear rigidity to transmit thebending induced shear load between the respective facing sheets 31.Thus, the reinforcing member acts as a flexural member in transmittingloads to the respective supporting elements 13. Although steel ispreferred as the material for the facing sheets by virtue of itsrelatively high strength, any material having sufficiently high tensilestrength and Young's modulus to permit its use as a structural membermay be utilized. For example, laminated plastic or bonded wood fibersheet such as that sold under the trademark Masonite" may be used. Thus,any material having a tensile strength in excess of about 8,000 poundsper square inch with a Youngs modulus in excess of about 850,000 poundsper square inch may be used. As will be appreciated, sheets having hightensile strength separated by and bonded to a filler 32 of a low tensilestrength material functions as a flexural member.

If desired, additional strength may be provided by positioning sleevemember 33 within the supporting elements 13. As may be seen from thedrawings, the sleeve members extend from the lower end of the supportingelements to a position flush with the top of the major planar portion 24and serve to assist in transmitting the load received from thereinforcing member to the support on which the lower panel portion Arests. The sleeve member may be formed of any material capable ofsupporting compressive loads. For example, sleeves formed of fiberboardhave proven to be very satisfactory as well as economical; however,sleeves formed of metal or other materials would also be satisfactory.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, there is illustrated a modified palletformed from four rather than three sheets of thermoplastic material. Ascan be seen from the drawings, the modified pallet utilizes upper andlower members 11 and 12 similar to those of the previous embodiment. Thepanel portions 20 and 20A of such members are illustrated as havingrecessed areas 36 which serve as an anti-skid feature. The recessedareas 36 may be formed in any desired pattern. It will be appreciatedthat such anti-skid feature may also be provided in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-3; however, in the interest of clarity, it has not beenillustrated in that embodiment.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4-7, there are provided a pair ofintermediate members 37 and 38, each of which has formed thereincup-shaped pockets 39 and 40 which are aligned with one another. Theintermediate members 37 and 38 are joined together so that therespective pockets 39 and 40 cooperate to function as columns orsupporting elements similar to the supporting elements 13 of theprevious embodiment. As in the previous embodiment, such supportingelements are arranged in rows to permit the entry of lifting forkstherebetween. Additionally, a sleeve member 33 may be positioned withineach pair of cooperating pockets to provide additional reinforcing.

Similarly, as in the previous embodiment, a reinforcing member 15 ispositioned between the panel portion 20 of the upper member 11 and theupper surface of the intermediate member 37. As may be seen from thedrawings, the sleeve members 33 are completely enclosed in the sealedpockets of the respective intermediate members 37 and 38. Additionally,the reinforcing member 15 is completely enclosed within sealed members.Accordingly, they are completely protected from moisture or otherdamaging elements. The intermediate members may either be smooth asillustrated for the member 37 or corrugated as illustrated for themember 38.

Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, there are provided furthermodifications. The pallet of these embodiments is formed with but twosheets of thermoplastic material and the reinforcing member of the typeutilized in the previous embodiments. The cross sectional appearance ofthe embodiment of FIG. 10 as taken through line 8A-8A is the same as theembodiment of FIG. 9 taken through line 88. In such embodiments, thepallets are provided with a top panel member 43 which is substantiallyplanar throughout and a lower plastic member 44. The lower member 44 isa molded unit having a plurality of deep grooves 45 formed therein whichcooperate to define feet 46. The feet 46 thus function as supportingelements. As desired, the feet or supporting elements 46 may beinterrupted as illustrated in FIG. 9 or may extend the entire width ofthe pallet as shown in FIG. 10. As will be obvious, the lifting forksare accommodated in the grooves 45. Thus, it will be obvious that thepallet as illustrated in FIG. 10in which the feet 46 or supportingelements extend the full width of the pallet is limited to entry fromonly two of the four sides while the pallet illustrated in FIG. 9 hasfour-way entry. As with the previous embodiments, a reinforcing member15 is positioned between the top panel member 43 and the lower plasticmember 44.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated a modified reinforcingmember 15 in which there is provided in addition to the facing sheets 31and filler 32 a plurality of reinforcing strips 47 positioned at rightangles to the plane of the facing sheets 31. Such strips 47 serve tostrengthen the reinforcing member and may be utilized when exceptionallyhigh strength is required for the pallet. The reinforcing strips may beformed of material having similar strength characteristics as the facingsheets.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated a further modification inwhich the supporting elements 13 comprise columns formed of moldedfoamed plastic 50, such as expanded polystyrene, encircled by a sleeve51 formed of metal, fiberboard or other suitable material. Preferably,the sleeve 51 is adhered to the lower facing sheet 31. If desired, anupstanding annular flange 52 may be formed on the inner surface of thelower sheet 20A to receive and retain such columns in a fixed position.Additionally, if desired, the reinforcing member 15 and the sleeve 51may be completely encapsulated in foam plastic as indicated by thenumeral 54 Referring now to FIG. 13, a pallet is provided which caneither be hoisted by a sling type lift or lifted by a fork lift. Underthe embodiment of FIG. 13, the peripheral edge portion 21A of the lowermember 12 is substantially longer than the peripheral edge portion 21 ofthe upper member 11 and is offset inwardly therefrom. Thus, the flange22A of the lower member 12 is longer than the flange 22 of the uppermember 1 l and is sufficiently wide to be supportingly engaged by therope or cable of a sling type lift. The peripheral edge portion 21A isalso provided with apertures 23 for receiving lifting forks.

Under this embodiment, the outer periphery of the intermediate member 14rests on the upper surface of 5 flange 22A as indicated by the numeral59. Thus, the intermediate member 14 is supported both by thecolumn-type supporting elements 13 and the peripheral edge portion 21Aof the lower member 12.

The pallet of the present invention is particularly well suited where itis desired to be used for rack loading or the like where it is supportedonly at spaced apart areas as by edge supports along the sides.

For a pallet designed to withstand compression loading only as where theentire surface of the bottom rests on a support or rack of thesupporting elements rests directly on a support, it is possible that thereinforcing member have only the filler portion without the facingsheets of high tensile strength and Young's modulus. Such palletobviously will not be able to support loads as great as those supportedby a pallet in which the reinforcing member has the facing sheets;however it is sufficient for many applications.

It can be seen from the foregoing description and the variousembodiments that the present invention provides a pallet which can beeasily and economically molded using selections of material to bestadvantage thus providing a pallet which is economical and yet which cancarry the required loads.

We claim:

1. A pallet comprising upper and lower sheets of material, supportingelements positioned between said sheets and holding major portions ofsaid sheets in spaced apart relationship, said supporting elements beingpositioned in rows to permit the entry of lifting fork elementstherebetween and a reinforcing member positioned between one of saidsheets and said supporting elements said reinforcing member including apair of facing sheets having a filler element sandwiched therebetween.

2. A pallet comprising:

a. a first member formed of thermoplastic material having a bottom panelfor resting on a support, said bottom panel terminating in a peripheraledge extending upwardly therefrom;

a second member having a major planar portion and a plurality ofsupporting elements extending perpendicularly from said planar portionand resting on said bottom wall, said supporting elements being arrangedin rows to permit the entry of lifting forks therebetween; and

c. a third member formed of thermoplastic material having a top panelfor receiving loads thereon, said top panel being in load transmittingrelationship with said supporting elements, said top panel terminatingin a peripheral edge extending downwardly therefrom and engaging saidfirst member, the portions of the peripheral edges between said rows ofcolumns having openings to permit the entry of lifting forks therein.

3. A pallet comprising:

a. a first member having a bottom panel for resting on a support, a wallportion extending upwardly from said bottom panel, and a flangeextending outwardl from said wall rtion' I a seconti member havln g amajor planar portion extending outwardly beyond said wall portion andbeing supported on said flange, said second member including a pluralityof supporting elements extending perpendicularly from said planarportion and resting on said bottom wall; and

C. a third member having a top panel for receiving loads thereon, saidtop panel being in load transmitting relationship with said supportingelements, a wall portion extending downwardly from said top panel, saidwall portion being outwardly from the wall portion of said first memberand engaging said flange.

H050 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 36G9, 902 Dated October 21;, 1972 Inventor(s) Guy H. Allgever, James B.Foote It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On cover sheet, under Related U.S. Application Data,--Continuationinpar*t-- should read continuation Signed and sealed this10th day of April 1973.

[SI-EAL) Attest:

EDWARD NLFLETCHERJR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attosting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A pallet comprising upper and lower sheets of material, supportingelements positioned between said sheets and holding major portions ofsaid sheets in spaced apart relationship, said supporting elements beingpositioned in rows to permit the entry of lifting fork elementstherebetween and a reinforcing member positiOned between one of saidsheets and said supporting elements said reinforcing member including apair of facing sheets having a filler element sandwiched therebetween.2. A pallet comprising: a. a first member formed of thermoplasticmaterial having a bottom panel for resting on a support, said bottompanel terminating in a peripheral edge extending upwardly therefrom; b.a second member having a major planar portion and a plurality ofsupporting elements extending perpendicularly from said planar portionand resting on said bottom wall, said supporting elements being arrangedin rows to permit the entry of lifting forks therebetween; and c. athird member formed of thermoplastic material having a top panel forreceiving loads thereon, said top panel being in load transmittingrelationship with said supporting elements, said top panel terminatingin a peripheral edge extending downwardly therefrom and engaging saidfirst member, the portions of the peripheral edges between said rows ofcolumns having openings to permit the entry of lifting forks therein. 3.A pallet comprising: a. a first member having a bottom panel for restingon a support, a wall portion extending upwardly from said bottom panel,and a flange extending outwardly from said wall portion; b. a secondmember having a major planar portion extending outwardly beyond saidwall portion and being supported on said flange, said second memberincluding a plurality of supporting elements extending perpendicularlyfrom said planar portion and resting on said bottom wall; and C. a thirdmember having a top panel for receiving loads thereon, said top panelbeing in load transmitting relationship with said supporting elements, awall portion extending downwardly from said top panel, said wall portionbeing outwardly from the wall portion of said first member and engagingsaid flange.